West Ham boss David Moyes risks the wrath of a nation with England comments

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West Ham United boss David Moyes has risked the wrath of a nation with his comments ahead of England’s Euro 2020 final against Italy tonight.

Moyes will be watching as West Ham talisman Declan Rice follows in the footsteps of Hammers legends Bobby Moore, Sir Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters by playing for England in a major final.

Ahead of the biggest game of his career, Rice admitted he had been inspired by a message to the England team from West Ham assistant manager Stuart Pearce.

But what he probably didn’t expect was the full backing of proud Scotsman Moyes.

Moyes will be watching on as West Ham hero Rice aims to make history

Well the West Ham boss has risked the wrath of his homeland by throwing his support behind England.

Moyes told The Times he wants Gareth Southgate’s side to beat Italy, going very much against the grain of opinion north of the border.

That has been illustrated throughout the tournament with many Scotland fans raising the flags of England’s opposition such as Germany, Ukraine and Denmark or wearing their shirts.

And Scottish paper The National’s front page went global yesterday with a mock-up of Italy boss Roberto Mancini as Braveheart William Wallace with the headline: ‘Save us Roberto, you’re our final hope’ followed by ‘We can’t take another 55 years of them banging on about this’.

Hammers boss risks wrath of a nation with comments on England ahead of Euro 2020 final

Having led West Ham to their best ever Premier League points haul and into the Europa League, Moyes is the toast of the east end.

Fans will undoubtedly love him even more after the manager revealed his West Ham connection with Rice and his career in this country are behind his good feeling towards the Three Lions.

And he will be saluted for standing out from the crowd even if he knows his desire to see England win will surprise his fellow Scots.

“I am writing this on a train as it crosses the border just after Lockerbie and what I’m about to say may surprise you. I’ll be at the final and really want England to win,” Moyes wrote in his column in The Times.

‘Nothing would give me more pleasure than to see Declan do well and score the winning goal’

“I’m a very proud Scotsman who, when younger, followed his country everywhere as a member of the Tartan Army, but England has been very good to me.

“I’ve been very fortunate to have had a long career as a player and manager in English football, and England winning would be great for the English game.

“At West Ham United, I also have a young player in Declan Rice who has done fantastically well at Euro 2020 and who I’ve no doubt will go on to win another 50-plus caps. Nothing would give me more pleasure than to see Declan do well today — and score the winning goal.”

Meanwhile, Rice has given West Ham a boost after admitting he misses West Ham and can’t wait to be reunited with his Hammers teammates in pre-season.

And the midfielder’s parents Stephanie and Sean have sent the Hammer a heartfelt message ahead of the biggest game of his life.